Being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned.

Most men are unwilling to be taught.

This merriment of parsons is mighty offensive.

Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense. The power of invention has been conferred by nature upon few, and the labour of learning those sciences which may, by mere labour, be obtained, is too great to be willingly endured; but every man can exert some judgment as he has upon the works of others; and he whom nature has made weak, and idleness keeps ignorant, may yet support his vanity by the name of critic.

Nature makes us poor only when we want necessaries, but custom gives the name of poverty to the want of superfluities.

Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable.

Social sorrow loses half its pain.